Traction control kicks in frequently when taking turns (lifted with 33” tires)

[AZ4]

I lifted my truck almost immediately after buying a year ago, and noticed that sometimes when I took corners quickly (or making low speed, tight turns) the traction control would kick in. BEEP-BEEP.

It didn’t bother me too much, as it didn’t happen regularly, but I recently upgraded to 33” BFG A/T KO2’s, and it's
happening more frequently.

This happenes most often when entering a parking lot, which typically have a bit of an incline.

I did a Zero point calibration, and that didn’t make a difference.

Next, I noticed a bit of rubber on the front body mounts, and figured turning was causing the front tires to rub, slow down the wheel, and kick in the traction control. So, I did a body mount chop, but I still get a VSC kick-in when I corner.

I’m out of ideas, does anyone have any thoughts on troubleshooting this further? Any help appreciated.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

First off, when you did the ZPC did you do it on flat ground and repeat it a couple times to be sure? Also did you do a ZPC after you installed the 33's.

Also, how aggressively are you driving the vehicle? I still have VSC kick in/try to kill me with my 35's if I am being a bit too aggressive in turns.

 

[blackoutt]

There seems to be 4-5 threads about this coming up recently. Happens to me too, one specific dip when turning off one road to another on my way to work can make it happen every time. Some tundra guys talk about shimming the vsc module in the console, not sure if ours are the same and also unsure of the negative effects when we actually want the nannys to kick in and help.

 

[AZ4]

First off, when you did the ZPC did you do it on flat ground and repeat it a couple times to be sure? Also did you do a ZPC after you installed the 33's.

Also, how aggressively are you driving the vehicle? I still have VSC kick in/try to kill me with my 35's if I am being a bit too aggressive in turns.

I did the ZPC once after the tire install, and yes it was on a flat surface. I'll try it again if you think it will help.

I don't think I'm an overly aggressive driver, but then again, that's subjective.

 

[AZ4]

There seems to be 4-5 threads about this coming up recently. Happens to me too, one specific dip when turning off one road to another on my way to work can make it happen every time. Some tundra guys talk about shimming the vsc module in the console, not sure if ours are the same and also unsure of the negative effects when we actually want the nannys to kick in and help.

There is a VSC Off mod I had on my to-do list, however I recently learned that it is not straghtforward for the V6 (which I have).

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102387-vsc-mod-factory-switch.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/215209-4th-gen-4wd-traction-control-vsc.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ories/41357-vsc-off-atrac-mod-complete-3.html

 

[blackoutt]

There is a VSC Off mod I had on my to-do list, however I recently learned that it is not straghtforward for the V6 (which I have).

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/102387-vsc-mod-factory-switch.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/215209-4th-gen-4wd-traction-control-vsc.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ories/41357-vsc-off-atrac-mod-complete-3.html

I have a switch in the wire going to the brake master that can cut all traction control aids off, and if I flip that first of course no traction aids kick in on that particular corner but I can't turn them back on without a key cycle. I reserve it for only instances of hoolganism, otherwise I want the traction aids.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Supposedly there's a Wheel Speed Sensor wire that runs along the floor on the driver's side of the interior up into the junction block in the driver's front kick panel under the dash before going to the Skid Control ECU on the brake booster. If you disrupt that circuit you're tripping a DTC in the ABS system which will take out the TRAC and VSC.

I think this is a good way to go about the VSC, my coworker mentioned it to me that he did it on his 4Runner and it makes sense.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Supposedly there's a Wheel Speed Sensor wire that runs along the floor on the driver's side of the interior up into the junction block in the driver's front kick panel under the dash before going to the Skid Control ECU on the brake booster. If you disrupt that circuit you're tripping a DTC in the ABS system which will take out the TRAC and VSC.

I think this is a good way to go about the VSC, my coworker mentioned it to me that he did it on his 4Runner and it makes sense.

You would get a light or two on the dash using this method, correct?

I haven't done the ZPC on mine yet but there is only one turn/hill that gets it to go bonkers. Doesn't matter how fast I go either. I've been thinking of disabling the system lately though. I just don't want any lights on the dash on.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You would get a light or two on the dash using this method, correct?

I haven't done the ZPC on mine yet but there is only one turn/hill that gets it to go bonkers. Doesn't matter how fast I go either. I've been thinking of disabling the system lately though. I just don't want any lights on the dash on.

Essentially what you'd be doing is putting in a switch to open the circuit for a Wheel Speed Sensor. This would set a DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) in the Skid Control ECU, which will set the ABS, VSC, and TRAC lights on your dash (so you know you did it right! lol). When you hit the switch again you close the circuit and restart the vehicle, the one-trip nature of the ABS system will clear the DTC from active status the moment it sees it communicating again (i.e. driving a short while).

The reason it disables the ABS, VSC, and Traction Control is because of the way those systems work. They need accurate wheel speed data from all 4 wheels to operate correctly; take one wheel out and the system can't work properly so it disables itself and sets a DTC.

 

[Qlaloo]

Just disconnect the traction control. ZPC does no help for me.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Just disconnect the traction control. ZPC does no help for me.

You really can't disconnect the TRAC and VSC Systems without disabling the ABS system as well. IF you go about the method of playing with the pressure sensor, there is the possibility you will disable brake assist functions based on an older fail safe chart I saw for the 4Runner's braking system. Realistically to disable TRAC you need to disable ABS.

 

[2021ORP]

Trac Control on Left Turn after dip

I lifted my truck almost immediately after buying a year ago, and noticed that sometimes when I took corners quickly (or making low speed, tight turns) the traction control would kick in. BEEP-BEEP.

It didn’t bother me too much, as it didn’t happen regularly, but I recently upgraded to 33” BFG A/T KO2’s, and it's
happening more frequently.

This happenes most often when entering a parking lot, which typically have a bit of an incline.

I did a Zero point calibration, and that didn’t make a difference.

Next, I noticed a bit of rubber on the front body mounts, and figured turning was causing the front tires to rub, slow down the wheel, and kick in the traction control. So, I did a body mount chop, but I still get a VSC kick-in when I corner.

I’m out of ideas, does anyone have any thoughts on troubleshooting this further? Any help appreciated.

I also have this problem after lifting to "33s. So far I only notice it as I'm making a left turn right after a dip in the road. The only thing I see is the trac control light but no beeps or feeling anything (like braking). It only comes on for about 2 seconds and then I don't see it again for my entire trip. IF you have solved this please let me know what you did. Thanks in Advance!

 

[2021ORP]

There seems to be 4-5 threads about this coming up recently. Happens to me too, one specific dip when turning off one road to another on my way to work can make it happen every time. Some tundra guys talk about shimming the vsc module in the console, not sure if ours are the same and also unsure of the negative effects when we actually want the nannys to kick in and help.

Did you ever figure out a solution to the intermittent trac control? Mine does the same thing on one specific dip then turn left - light is on for just a couple seconds. No beeps.

 

[kv82579]

I'm having this issue as well but I am getting the ABS kicking in on a few tight freeway onramps that turn to the right. It has kicked in on a few slightly curvy roads, usually on a right hand turn of the wheel.

From reading all of the threads on this it looks like there really is no reliable fix and people just live with it. Which is unfortunate as my wife is not going to let me "just live with it" and will likely force me to back out everything or get rid of the truck. I myself could probably live with it but other people drive the vehicle, like my wife.

I find it interesting that not everyone experiences it and everyone reports slightly different behavior and that 33" tires and aggressive driving seem to be the main factors. In my case I need get the right side dipping down hard enough to lighten the left wheel which causes the brakes to kick on the lift wheel to slow it down. The Fact that is only when I turn right in my case but others say left, makes me wonder if their is some suspension tuning that could be done - are right and left slightly different for some reason?

I'm running 285x70x17s.

In the end it is a math problem in the VSC computer which theoretically should be able to be reprogramed with the new suspension parameters. The recalibration sounds like it tries to do it but it doesn't reliably work.

Some times I miss my old 2000 Jeep Cherokee.

 

[Hupo224]

I'm having this issue as well but I am getting the ABS kicking in on a few tight freeway onramps that turn to the right. It has kicked in on a few slightly curvy roads, usually on a right hand turn of the wheel.

From reading all of the threads on this it looks like there really is no reliable fix and people just live with it. Which is unfortunate as my wife is not going to let me "just live with it" and will likely force me to back out everything or get rid of the truck. I myself could probably live with it but other people drive the vehicle, like my wife.

I find it interesting that not everyone experiences it and everyone reports slightly different behavior and that 33" tires and aggressive driving seem to be the main factors. In my case I need get the right side dipping down hard enough to lighten the left wheel which causes the brakes to kick on the lift wheel to slow it down. The Fact that is only when I turn right in my case but others say left, makes me wonder if their is some suspension tuning that could be done - are right and left slightly different for some reason?

I'm running 285x70x17s.

In the end it is a math problem in the VSC computer which theoretically should be able to be reprogramed with the new suspension parameters. The recalibration sounds like it tries to do it but it doesn't reliably work.

Some times I miss my old 2000 Jeep Cherokee.

Any solutions? Please?

 

[efaroh]

I’m having the same issue after recent upgrades. Lift and 33s. 285/70/17 on 17x9 0 offset wheels. Turns at full lock will trigger traction control. Guess I’ll have to live with it until someone smart figures it out.

 

[Hupo224]

So are 4th gens just duds?

 

[thegame7]

I put a switch to ground on one of the wires coming out of the VSC? Unit and essentially drive around without traction control on everywhere I go. Luckily how I did it, I don't have to cycle the key to turn traction control back on. When I turn the car on, the light is flashing but I cycle the switch and it disables it.

 

[Hupo224]

I put a switch to ground on one of the wires coming out of the VSC? Unit and essentially drive around without traction control on everywhere I go. Luckily how I did it, I don't have to cycle the key to turn traction control back on. When I turn the car on, the light is flashing but I cycle the switch and it disables it.

Yeah I have all the stuff ready to wire in to disable VSC with a button like the 08+ have. But the fact this is happening on dry roads in a small curve is not okay. I shouldn't have to worry about dying on a turn.

 

[Hupo224]

bump